Top 5 Breweries in Charlotte

If there’s one thing Charlotte knows how to do, it’s breweries. With over 80 taprooms in the area, and new ones constantly popping up, there’s no shortage of spots to grab a cold one. Whether you’re looking for a killer lineup of brews, dog-friendly places to chill with your pup or tasty bites to pair with your bev, there’s truly something for everyone.

In no particular order and coincidentally all located in South End, here are my top 5 breweries in the Queen City and why I love them!

 1.     Wooden Robot Brewery

With locations in South End and NoDa, Wooden Robot is a Charlotte staple. From the extra-friendly bartenders to the almost-exclusively gluten-free (yes, that’s right!) beers, it’s a serious winner in my book. They have indoor and outdoor spaces, which are both dog-friendly, so your furry friends can join in on the fun too. Try the Good Morning Vietnam (a delightful vanilla coffee blonde ale) and the rotating seltzers (I love the prickly pear guava!).

While I typically prefer the South End location, the NoDa taproom named The Chamber is just as fun. Plus, it has a rooftop bar right next to the Light Rail—I mean, who doesn’t love a rooftop moment?

And did I mention the South End location has a not-so-secret coffee bar next door that serves the most delicious lattes, hot chocolates, teas and rotating seasonal drinks? Caught in the Undertow is my go-to coffee order!

2.     Suffolk Punch Brewing

Feat. my adorable dog Cody :)

If you’ve been in Charlotte for any amount of time, you’ve likely landed at Suffolk Punch at least once or twice. Conveniently located on the Rail Trail in South End (with a newer taproom in SouthPark and more locations on the way), this joint is a total crowd-pleaser.  

Serving up beer, wine, cocktails and coffee, plus brunch (weekends only), lunch and dinner options, you can’t go wrong here. My personal faves are the Burrata-Rita Flatbread, The Chicken Biscuit, and any of their smoothie-style sours and seltzers.

Plus, they have great specials throughout the week. Hello half-off beers and $10 cocktails! The only downside? Parking can be not-so-fun, but what they lack in lot spaces, they make up for in menu offerings.

3.     Sycamore Brewing

Also along the Rail Trail, not far from Suffolk Punch is Sycamore, a long-time favorite for many, perfectly situated for a day or night of bopping around South End. This was the first brewery I ever visited in Charlotte—the day I moved here actually—so it holds a special place in my heart.

Although I’m partial to their OG laid-back layout filled with picnic tables, pups, and food trucks, their newly renovated multi-level space is quite impressive. They still have live music, an airstream food truck and picnic tables with the added bonus of a kitchen, expanded drink menu, including cocktails, and a rooftop, plus a café for morning brews. It’s a slightly more upscale feel now, but a super fun vibe nonetheless!

One thing that hasn’t changed? Their best-known beers like Mountain Candy and Southern Girl. My current go-to is their Strawberry Lemonade Gose—I’m a sucker for sours! Order their fries paired with plentiful dipping sauces, and you’ve got a kick-butt combo.

4. The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten

As the oldest independent brewery in Charlotte and the biggest, best German biergarten around, Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (OMB) certainly deserves a spot on this list. A tried-and-true Charlotte staple, OMB is beloved for its beer, bratwurst and beyond.

From their classic Copper Altbier and Captain Jack Pilsner to their seasonal Mecktoberfest Lager, OMB is committed to quality brews, traditional German foods and a 10/10 atmosphere. You can’t go wrong ordering any of their sausages, schnitzel or Bavarian-style pretzels. And you’ll love the ambiance of their huge outdoor space complete with picnic tables galore, bistro lighting and live music on the weekends!

No matter the season, OMB is always a good idea, whether it’s sweet summer nights sipping cold ones, crisp fall days celebrating their Annual Mecktoberfest or cozy winter days walking their yearly Christmas Market. Sipping mulled wine while shopping the vendor tents has become a can’t-miss holiday tradition for me! 

5.     Monday Night Brewing

One of the newest breweries on the block is Monday Night Brewing. You can’t miss it—just look for the big green building buzzing with patrons on South Tryon Street. With several locations throughout the southeast, Charlotte needed to get in on the action.

This fifth taproom called the Garden Co. has lots to offer—great beers, fun cocktails (and mocktails!), house-made pizza, lounge areas and games like corn hole and pool. There’s plenty of seating, from picnic tables and couches to bar seating and little tables sprinkled throughout their large property.

The highlights for me are the Spicy Watermelon Margarita, the Bourbon Berry Basket Mocktail and the Hot Honey Pizza. Their wood-fired oven pizza is so good, we got it twice in one weekend when they first opened. You’ve got to try it! Plus, don’t miss the fun mural in the outdoor seating area closest to Dunavant Street.

 Check out my reel for an inside look at Monday Night Brewing!

Brewery Runners-up:

• Hi-Wire Brewing: colorful, fun and dog-friendly (inside & out)

• Brewers at 4001 Yancey: 4 breweries in one—nuff said

• Sugar Creek Brewing Company: their Fruit Punch Sour is to die for

• Lenny Boy Brewing Co.: the hard kombucha is unbeatable

• Resident Culture: two words—breakfast tacos